Southampton are preparing a £13.5million offer for Leeds centre-back Pontus Jansson, according to a report.

The Sun on Sunday claim in their print edition (page 57) that the Premier League club have placed the Swedish international top of their summer shopping list.

It is said that Southampton are eyeing Jansson as a replacement for Virgil van Dijk, who is expected to be the subject of some significant bids in the forthcoming window.

The Sun on Sunday report that the established top-flight outfit are preparing to offer three times the £3.5million Leeds will pay to sign Jansson permanently at the end of the season after spending the campaign on loan.

Jansson, 26, has been a colossus at the back for Garry Monk’s promotion hopefuls since joining initially on loan from Torino last summer and was last week named in the Football League team of the season.

He has made 31 league appearances for Leeds and established a formidable partnership with fellow loanee Kyle Bartley in the back four.

The duo have been key to the Yorkshire club’s fifth place in the Championship and demonstrated their value once again in Friday’s 1-1 draw against Newcastle at St James’ Park.

The Sun on Sunday report that Southampton have turned their attention to signing Jansson after failing to land Mamadou Sakho from Liverpool.

The France international subsequently joined Crystal Palace on loan instead and “now has his pick of moves” after a series of outstanding performances.